JOB performed for Pep Guardiola as Manchester Metropolis secured prime spot of their group.
Nevertheless it was an evening that summed up their irritating season as far as as soon as once more they failed to show their complete domination into objectives.
Gabriel Jesus had a late purpose dominated out by VAR as Man Metropolis drew 0-0 at PortoCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
Bernardo Silva was offside within the build-up as Metropolis secured prime spot of their groupCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
City ought to have received at a canter however discovered house keeper Augustin Marchesin in excellent type.
Guardiola mentioned on the weekend that regardless of their 5-0 win over Burnley, he wants his forwards Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus to be scoring objectives.
Nicely each ended the night time empty handed as soon as once more – because of a mixture of the Porto primary and the VAR.
Nonetheless, the constructive for Pep is that he may give his gamers a relaxation subsequent week after they face Marseilles.a t the Etihad.
And the way necessary may that be with the Manchester derby at Outdated Trafford looming simply three days later?
Whereas Metropolis’s qualification for the knock-out levels was already safe, Porto simply wanted some extent to affix them within the final 16.
And that was clear proper from the beginning with Sergio Conceicao’s aspect glad to take a seat deep and let the guests attempt to break them down.
Porto had induced Metropolis issues after they met on the Etihad again in October however they confirmed little ambition right here.
Raheem Sterling had a great recreation in Portugal on Tuesday night timeCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
Ferran Torres got here near scoring for Metropolis after beginning up entranceCredit score: AP:Related Press
But their gameplan was virtually smoked when defender Malang Sarr slid in and appeared to take the legs of Sterling within the field.
Dutch ref Bjorn Kuipers didn’t see an offence and – maybe surprisingly – the VAR didn’t really feel it warranted a spot-kick both.
A sweeping counter assault from Metropolis noticed Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden hyperlink as much as create an opportunity for Ferran Torres however Augustin Marchesin obtained down nicely to disclaim him.
The Porto keeper didn’t have many pictures to avoid wasting – however was having a busy night time all the identical. Within the first half he had extra touches of the ball than any of his team-mates.
Metropolis had been seeking to safe the purpose they wanted to make sure prime spot within the group – however had been maybe missing their common innovative.
Metropolis had been tight on the again however missing going aheadCredit score: Reuters
Ederson was referred to as into motion on a few events Credit score: AFP OR LICENSORS
Bernardo pulled out a rabona to sling over a cross from the suitable but it surely didn’t fairly drop for Sterling on the sting of the field.
A ball excessive from Fernandinho – who was beginning his first recreation in two months after harm – put Sterling clear however the ball wouldn’t drop and Sarr was in a position to get a boot in.
The England ace had not scored in 5 video games earlier than this and seemed decided to place that proper.
He jinked in from the left hand aspect and despatched over a low cross-shot which was dummied by Fernandinho however hoofed off the road by Zaidu Sanusi.
The house aspect had been nonetheless not exhibiting a lot ambition – however had been defending for his or her lives and had been keen to make use of any methodology of stopping the guests.
One of the best likelihood of the night time got here simply earlier than the hour as Foden’s nice ball set Sterling clear however Marchesin was out rapidly to disclaim him.
Bernardo Silva impressed upon his return to PortugalCredit score: Getty Photographs – Getty
Pep Guardiola may have been hoping for the win regardless of sealing prime Credit score: AP:Related Press
The rebound fell properly for Ferran Torres however he dallied too lengthy and allowed Chancel Mbemba to get again and clear..
Porto had one other enormous let off as Sterling’s deflected cross seemed sure to be touched in on the again put up by a stretching Ruben Dias however he may solely divert the ball backwards.
Torres improvised brilliantly with an overhead kick however as soon as once more Marchesin was in the suitable place to maintain it out.
The keeper obtained down low to avoid wasting one other effort from Bernardo – who would have cherished a purpose on his return to Portugal.
He made yet one more cease to disclaim Garcia’s shut vary effort after which reacted beautifully tipped a Jesus header from Bernardo’s cross onto the bar.
This time the rebound fell to the Brazilian who tapped house – just for the VAR to rule this one out for an offside earlier within the transfer.
